The global COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated an economic downturn that has governments across Canada and around the world set to make huge investments in stimulus and recovery spending. Many are viewing this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest in a just and sustainable green economy.
September 24, 2020 Update
On September 23, the Governor-General delivered the Speech from the Throne outlining the federal government's plans and priorites for the new session of Parliament. Responses from AEN member groups and other environmental organizations were mixed, warily applauding new and renewed commitments to climate action and conservation.
- Climate action will be ‘cornerstone’ of Canada’s economic recovery plan: throne speech (The Narwhal, 2020/09/23)
- Liberal throne speech targets COVID-19 over climate (National Observer, 2020/09/23)
- Ecojustice reacts to Speech from the Throne (Ecojustice, 2020/09/23)
- Feds reinforce commitment to green economic recovery (Pembina Institute, 2020/09/23)
- CPAWS applauds federal government’s commitment to nature conservation as part of Canada’s recovery (CPAWS, 2020/09/23)
- Throne speech makes clean growth a cornerstone of recovery (Canadian Institute for Climate Choices, 2020/09/23)
- Throne Speech: meh or yay? (Greenpeace Canada, 2020/09/23)
- The throne speech we want? A pledge for a low-carbon, competitive economy (Pembina Institute, 2020/09/21)
August 25, 2020 Update
In her first day on the job, newly-appointed Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said that "The restart of our economy needs to be green. It also needs to be equitable, it needs to be inclusive and we need to focus very much on jobs and growth."
- Freeland, Trudeau push for green recovery as finance portfolio changes hands (BNNBloomberg)
- Opinion: Chrystia Freeland’s golden opportunity (National Observer)
- Solving the economy: Liberals say Canada needs a green, inclusive, equitable recovery. Can Chrystia Freeland deliver? (Globe and Mail)
Previous Updates
Throughout the pandemic, environmental organizations and their allies have continued to advocate for support of a just transition to a green economy.
- Over 40 organizations call on Prime Minister to prioritize Natural Infrastructure as an integral part of Green Recovery (CPAWS)
- Opinion: 265 academics to Trudeau: No bail out for oil and gas in response to COVID-19 (National Observer)
- We're Building a Movement for a Just Recovery
- A green COVID-19 recovery: how Canada can chart a sustainable path forward for the economy (The Narwhal)
- Let’s Emerge from This Crisis with a Greener Economy (The Tyee)
- Report: Green Stimulus: Principles and recommendations for a 2020 economic stimulus package (Pembina Institute)
- Report: Green Strings: Principles and conditions for a green recovery from COVID-19 in Canada (IISD)
What can you do?
A number of AEN member organizations have sent out action alerts encouraging you to write your representatives in government asking them to support a Green Recovery
- A better future for all is within reach – Canada needs a Green Recovery! (CPAWS)
- Raise Your Voice. Demand A Green And Just Recovery. (Ecojustice)
- No more big polluter handouts - Canada needs a Green Recovery! (Sierra Club Canada Foundation)